Empowering Female Parliamentarians and Staff in Leadership Development

The CEGGA II Programme aims to empower female parliamentarians and  female staff members in the National Assembly (NA) and Provincial People’s Assemblies (PPAs) to confidently fulfill their roles and have an equal say alongside their male colleagues. In collaboration with its Secretariat and the Ministry of Home Affairs, CEGGA II offers training sessions that equip these women with leadership skills, tools, and strategies. These sessions enhance their influence, promote women's leadership, and mainstream gender perspectives in parliamentary activities, focusing on gender sensitivity in decision-making and public engagement activities like hotlines, petitions, consultations, hearings, outreach, and oversight missions.

One inspiring participant, Ms. Keola Manichit, a female parliamentarian and  member of the Seceratiate of PPA Luang Prabang Province, has shared her journey during the workshop. She emphasized that women should never stop working hard and must be brave in demonstrating their abilities. She highlighted “three things for female leaders to keep in mind: always continue to develop yourself, do not let problems and challenges hinder you from taking the lead, support and empower other women in their leadership roles’’.

Ms. Keola's journey to a high position was marked by hard work and perseverance. Initially, she lacked confidence, doubting her ability to perform well and be accepted by her colleagues due to her educational and family background, and coming from a rural area. Ms. Keola spent over 12 years teaching in her hometown before being promoted to President of the District Women's Union. She never stopped learning and working hard, and her outstanding performance and dedication to rural development over 15 years led her to join the parliament. Today, she represents her fellow citizens and continues to support women's empowerment.

She expresses her gratitude to the CEGGA II Programme for the opportunity to share her inspiring story, gain new knowledge, and network with other female parliamentarians. Ms. Keola is now dedicated to applying what she has learned to support her female colleagues in her organization and parliamentary role, ensuring that the torch of empowerment is passed on.

Through stories like Ms. Keola's, the CEGGA II Programme showcases the profound impact of empowering women leaders, highlighting the transformative power of perseverance, education, and supportive networks.

The CEGGA Programme is a joint initiative of Lao PDR and its “Team Europe” partners, Switzerland, Germany, and the EU. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has been tasked to implement this first flagship programme of Team Europe in Laos, together with Lao partners to enhance citizen-state interaction for inclusive development, thereby contributing to the promotion of good governance and the rule of law, and access to justice.